Model Matthew Bartow from Red Model Management New York photographed in vintage and designer punk/new wave inspired clothing for Ponyboy magazine menswear editorial “Neat Neat Neat!”.
“Fade To Grey” is the name of our latest Ponyboy menswear editorial, a song title from the new romantic band Visage, fronted by style icon Steve Strange.
Our latest menswear editorial featuring 20 year old male model Casey Jackson, from New York Model Management.
Matt Pitt is a young, new model. With reddish brown hair and freckles, at times he can look slightly alien in a David Bowie sort of way. Whether he is walking the runways for high end designers worldwide or shooting trendy men’s editorials, one thing is certain – Matt is well on his way to success in the modeling world. This humble, down-to-earth law student, has managed to stay grounded in the whirlwind madness known as the fashion world. Photography by Alexander Thompson. Hair by Yuhi Kim. https://www.instagram.com/matthew.pitt/
PONYBOY: Matt, you are a young, male model. Tell us how you were discovered.
MATT PITT: I was originally scouted at my local mall when my now mother agent was holding an open call. I was approached by my agent Anita and we discussed coming into the agency and possibly signing on. Which turns out I did!
PONYBOY: Did you ever think that you would be modeling all over the world?
MATT PITT: After initially signing with Anita, I had no real concept of what was in store for me. I attended CMTC (Canadian Model Talent Convention) in Toronto last May. There I was given the opportunity to meet with a multitude of international agencies. A short month later I had graduated high school early and was on a plane to Paris for the Spring/Summer 2016 show season. I’m still not sure it has hit me, how quickly everything has worked out for me. Getting back to the question, I hadn’t even dreamt of modeling on an international scale. But it was soon a reality.
PONYBOY: You’re in college full-time and only eighteen years old. How does being a student fit with your modeling career?
MATT PITT: With my modeling career appearing so suddenly, I hadn’t really planned how it might work. I had always intended to further my education, and that is something that I intend to complete. Managing the two hasn’t been easy. I’ve been doing some shoots in more local areas. However, I have been able to pop down to New York quickly for a shoot on the weekend. But, overall it tends to be one or the other. So, I intend to take full advantage of my time off from school to continue pursuing modeling. In time, I’m sure I’ll be able to find a good balance.
PONYBOY: You’re with the Fusion agency in New York. What other agencies represent you worldwide?
MATT PITT: As of January 1st, 2016, I have been placed with seven agencies worldwide. They are Anita Norris models in Canada (my mother agency), as well as Premium in Paris, Established in London, Elite in Milan, Trend in Spain, Core in Germany, and, of course, Fusion in NY.
PONYBOY: You’re still somewhat new to the modeling world. What’s been your favorite assignment so far?
MATT PITT: I began my modeling career this past summer, beginning in Paris for show season. My first show ever was Louis Vuitton S/S16, so that will always be an important memory of mine. But, to narrow down to one specifc experience is something I cannot do. I would have to say that my favorite aspect of modeling that I’ve experienced so far is just meeting so many cool, interesting and kind people, while getting the opportunity to travel and see the world.
PONYBOY: What’s been your least favorite shoot so far?
MATT PITT: I can honestly say that from all of the shoots and jobs I have done so far, I’ve been lucky enough to have been treated with respect. And at the end of the day, that is what makes a job enjoyable for me. There would be obvious highlights, but nothing comes to my mind as being “least favorite”.
PONYBOY: You aspire to work in law. How do you think that modeling will help you with your career in law?
MATT PITT: At first it seems that modeling and law are two careers with few similarities. But as I’ve been emersed more into modeling I see opportunities in which I could combine the two. Whether those are options I choose to pursue or not, it can never hurt to have connections.
PONYBOY: Will you be walking during the next New York Men’s Fashion Week?
MATT PITT: As I write these responses, I sit in the Toronto airport waiting to board my flight to Paris for this year’s Autumn/Winter show season. I will also be traveling to London and Milan for the shows there. But, unfortunately, I won’t be attending the shows in New York due to school starting again. But any future shows that I’m available to attend, I will.
PONYBOY: What do you see in the future for you, in regards to modeling?
MATT PITT: With how things have gone so far, I have no idea. I hope to continue to do well, and don’t have much control other than trying to prepare as best as I can and taking everything as it comes. Regardless, I look forward to what is in store and focus on continuing to enjoy myself.
Max Von Isser is a model on-the-go! This busy young man is shooting campaigns, walking the high-end designer runways of Europe and New York, as well as zipping around the streets of Manhattan on his razor scooter to the next go-see. We were lucky enough to have Max model some vintage suit jackets for our most recent menswear editorial with an accompanying interview, inquiring about his successful career in the world of male modeling.
PONYBOY: Max, did you leave your home state of Arizona to become a model?
MAX VON ISSER: Yep! I love Arizona with all my heart, but there’s just no way I could have had the career that I’ve had so far without being in New York City, as well as the other major fashion cities.
PONYBOY: How did you actually get started in the world of modeling? Were you scouted?
MAX VON ISSER: An acquaintance of mine has a photographer friend back in Tucson. He told me a few times to shoot with this girl, Stephanie Lew. She’s awesome! Look her up. I gave in and figured, “What’s the worst thing that can happen? If anything, I’ll get a good story out of it.” Once she posted the pictures on Facebook, I got contacted by more and more photographers to take photos. Next thing I knew, I had my book in New York City, brought it into Fusion, and boom-all-of-a-sudden, I was doing amazing things!
PONYBOY: What’s been your favorite job so far?
MAX VON ISSER: Patrik Ervell took me out to Santa Cruz, California to shoot his campaign a few seasons back. That was the first time I had a multi-day shoot in a really cool location, so that was really special for me.
PONYBOY: And what was your worse job? You don’t have to name anybody’s name. Ha! Ha!
MAX VON ISSER: I’m gonna leave any traceable details out of it. But basically things were really bad on this shoot, but I finished it anyway. Later, I told my agent about how unprofessional and crazy it was, and the photographer caught wind of it. Next thing I knew, the photographer was threatening to sue me for defamation of character. Shit sucked balls!
PONYBOY: What designer’s do you favor?
MAX VON ISSER: Robert Geller is definitely up there as one of my favorite designers. I’ve worked with him a ton and he’s always so nice to everybody (random assistants and backstage photographers included.) Not to mention, his clothes are dope and fit my aesthetic so well. I’m also super into Ovadia & Sons, Chapter, Patrik Ervell, and Siki Im. I always love wearing clothing by designers I’ve enjoyed working with, because I feel a stronger connection to it.
PONYBOY: What photographer do you aspire to work with?
MAX VON ISSER: If anything I hope I get a chance to work with Ryan McGinley again. I worked with him for the Adidas Pharrell Williams campaign, and he just had so much energy and was so good at turning all of us random models into somehow looking like we were old friends.
PONYBOY: The general public feels that modeling is an easy job, that you’re basically getting paid for your good looks. What are your thoughts on this?
MAX VON ISSER: Well, they’re not entirely wrong. Sometimes modeling is the sickest job out there. You end up working for a great client with great people for an amazing rate. And you just think, hell yeah, this is dope! But then there are other times when you have non-stop castings for weeks at a time, in cities you’re fairly unfamiliar with, and end up doing essentially nothing except for stressing out and wasting time and money. That ‘s often the reality of modeling, and when you’re going through that part, it’s really not fun.
PONYBOY: What are the perks of being a male model?
MAX VON ISSER: For some reason, you’re able to pull off a lot more goofy junk. I don’t know why it is, but just having the title of being a model kind of changes people’s perception of how funky or boring you might be. I ride a razor scooter around Manhattan, watch a ton of cartoons, tell people dumb jokes, and occasionally wear tabi shoes (think ninja shoes) out to bars. I am actually the definition of a goofball, but people have explicitly told me “Eh, you’re pretty. You can pull it off.” I don’t really understand how that works, but it does. Thanks for the genes, Mom and Dad. You did me a huge favor!
PONYBOY: Modeling is known for having a short life span. What’s the next chapter in your life?
MAX VON ISSER: I’ve got a degree in marketing from the University of Arizona, and I’m studying Japanese. I hope to eventually move to Japan. Essentially I’m hoping that through my connections, the knowledge of the Japanese language, and my degree, I can eventually get myself a good job out there.
With warmer weather approaching, we felt that the sheer summer nylon seersucker sportswear loop shirt was the perfect item to feature in our latest menswear editorial. This 1950s shirt was preferably worn over a white t-shirt or undershirt.
We cast Fusion Agency newcomer Jordan Paris to model these transparent shirts. With his classic good looks, Jordan gave our camera movement, which was pivotal in these extraordinary images. Photography Alexander Thompson.
For our latest men’s Spring editorial, we really didn’t want just another pretty boy, as our style inspiration for this spread was based on Tim Polecat, the iconic frontman for 80’s neo-rockabilly UK band The Polecats. So, model Lyle Lodwick was the perfect fit for this shoot. We’ve long been fans of Lyle with his characteristic quirky good looks, reminiscent of a young Johnny Lydon or Duckie from Pretty in Pink. Lyle’s modeling career has been quite extraordinary with campaigns for designers including Marc Jacobs, Costume National, Balenciaga, Sisley, Barney’s and Uniqlo. He has also been featured in numerous high-end editorials for various international fashion magazines. Lyle has his own unique personal style and is also a very talented musician, as a member of the New York band Shining Mirrors.
Fashion editor/stylist Xina Giatas mixed colorful vintage pieces along with key items from some spring menswear collections, including Duckie Brown, Antonio Azzuolo and Maison Kitsuné. Our beauty editor James Vincent gave Lyle a hint of a colorful 80s new wave eye using Ardency Inn cosmetics. Hairstylist Matthew Tuozzoli had his work cut out for him. Lyle showed up with chin length hair, so getting that perfect pompadour was a bit of a challenge! But we were thrilled with the results. Read our interview with Lyle below. Photography Alexander Thompson.
PONYBOY: Lyle, please tell our readers about your background. Where were you raised?
LYLE LODWICK: I grew up in Baltimore County in Lutherville, Maryland, the same place as John Waters and Divine. My high school was across the street from Divine’s grave, so we used to smoke pot and pay our respects at her grave. I started playing music at around age fourteen and have been in about ten bands since. Baltimore county was full of bands, so I often found myself putting shows together, booking the bands and venue, as well as doing the lights, sound, and promotion. I knew then that I wanted that to be my life’s work. And since then I’ve found many other things I enjoy doing, but playing music and entertaining always takes the cake.
PONYBOY: What was family life like for you?
LYLE LODWICK: The first music I ever heard came blaring out of my father’s 1960’s Wurlitzer jukebox. He’s been buying and selling records since he was in his early twenties. So, needless to say, music has been a huge part of my upbringing. My grandfather owned some record stores, and it was in one of these shops that my mother and father met. And my brother and sister had a huge effect on me musically, as you tend to get hand me downs being the youngest one, anything from tapes and cd’s to mp3. I basically had what they had.
PONYBOY: What brought you to New York City?
LYLE LODWICK: I came to New York to work as my brother’s assistant when he ran Vimeo. I had always loved New York City and definitely knew that if I wanted to do something on a global scale, this was the place to be, especially in 2008, as things were booming in New York musically and creatively. This city was the pearl in the oyster that is the World.
PONYBOY: And how did you get into modeling?
LYLE LODWICK: One of my first tasks when I moved to New York was to film backstage at the tents at Bryant Park during Fashion Week. Everyone was like, “you should model.” And so I did. My friend Christian Strobel introduced me to Barbara Pfister, who became my mother agent. Barbara booked me to shoot with photographer Ryan McGinley. Shortly after that, I was in the Sigur Ros music video for Gobbledigook, and then went to Europe, where my modeling career really took off.
PONYBOY: You’ve been photographed for so many high-end magazine editorials and campaigns, by great photographers. What was that like for you?
LYLE LODWICK: It was crazy. Much of that success can be attributed to Allister Mackie, from publications Another Man and Dazed & Confused. He’s an international menswear stylist who has more influence on the good side of contemporary fashion than almost anyone else. He put me forward, opening Lanvin, John Varvatos, Marc By Marc Jacobs, as well as magazine editorials for Dazed & Confused, Another Man, and many more.
PONYBOY: What are your thoughts on the world of male modeling? Have you had positive experiences overall?
LYLE LODWICK: I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone. For all the good, there is a world of pain. It’s a sort of “banana on a fishing line” type of experience where you get fame instead of money and high taxes instead of a lasting position in culture. That said, I had an incredible time and met many people who I still consider great friends today. (It was nice to know how many people were pooping while looking at my face in one of millions of Urban Outfitter catalogues!)
PONYBOY: You’re also a musician in a band called Shining Mirrors. Tell us about this project.
LYLE LODWICK: Yes! I play Bass in Shining Mirrors! It’s a rock ‘n’ roll band. It’s three of us, so decisions are easy to make democratically. We take our time, so things turn out right. On April 21st we self-released four new songs on our Soundcloud. (https://soundcloud.com/shiningmirrors …shiningmirrors.tv)
PONYBOY: Has music always been your passion?
LYLE LODWICK: Yes, music has always been my passion. And I can only measure it as increasing over the years, from collecting my own vinyl, taking up guitar and starting my first band. The first time I was able to separate all of the individual instruments playing in a song was incredible, as well as listening to a song over and over again, and listening to each part individually. I thoroughly enjoy throwing concerts, which gives people a place to come together, by expressing themselves musically or in dance.
PONYBOY: Who are your musical influences?
LYLE LODWICK: My influences are pretty diverse. I share a birthday with David Bowie and Elvis Presley, so those two were there from the start of my life, with an emphasis on Elvis in my early years, and Bowie later on. The Beatles, The Slickee Boys, Steely Dan, The Talking Heads, The Velvet Underground, Radiohead, Aloha, Cake, Donny Hathaway, The Spinto Band, LCD Soundsystem, Frank Zappa. et all.
PONYBOY: What’s in store for you in the future? Do you still plan to model or are you anticipating that music will be your main focus?
LYLE LODWICK: Music will always be my main focus. Modeling is about making money, not being a style icon or influencing others. If there’s money on the table, I guess I’ll be modeling! I’m moving to LA in fifty days, and am so ready for a change of pace after eight years in New York. I’m not sure Los Angeles is the answer, most likely I’ll have more questions.
Our men’s vintage sweater editorial was inspired by the cool and casual style of John F. Kennedy. JFK spent his down time at the Kennedy compound in Hyannis Port sailing and playing touch football with family members. His style was always traditional and effortless. We booked male model Dutty Wruck from Adam Models NY to play our East Coast bred Kennedy. Dutty has the classic good looks to fit the bill. Our stylist Xina Giatas put Dutty in vintage sweaters, preppy loafers with no socks, and the necessary Ray Ban sunglasses. Men’s groomer Walton Nunez gave Dutty a traditional pompadour, and we let it fall in the wind for a just jumped off the sailboat look.
Ponyboy photographed male model Reid Rohling for our men’s editorial “On The Waterfront.” Reid, a newcomer to the modeling world, recently signed with Fusion Models New York. This nineteen year old blonde haired, blue eyed Minnesota bred transplant is sure to take the European and New York runways by storm with his editorial looks and lean frame. Our stylist, Jules Wood, decked Reid out in nautical themed clothing, our inspiration being Plein Soleil, which was the original film version of The Talented Mr. Ripley. Based on Patricia Highsmith’s novel. the 1960 French film was directed by René Clément and starred Alain Delon as Tom Ripley. Key pieces for this men’s editorial included designs from John Varvatos and Black Gold Diesel.
Ben Stift, a 6’3″ Hungarian male model, who is only 18 and making his way all over the world. Ben’s agencies include Fusion Models NY and Bananas in Paris. Walking for the big houses including Dior, Jil Sander, Moschino, and Dries Van Noten, Ponboy first photographed Ben backstage at the Duckie Brown show AW 2014. We felt he was perfect for our men’s vintage pullover editorial, with his long lanky looks and youthful appearance. And, of course, we had to have our favorite hair guru, Michael Duenas from the Cloutier Remix agency, groom Ben for this story using Schwarzkopf Professional OSiS Aqua Slide. Michael stated “I was able to give Ben Stift the perfect high shine, pliable look with this amazing product”.
Our men’s editorial features professional surfer/model Luke Ditella from Click Models New York. We were pleased to feature Luke, and his rugged good-looks worked so well for this story.
The Pendleton Woolen Mills, located in Oregon, originally began with the production of wool blankets. In 1929, they began making men’s outdoorsmen clothing. However, during World War II, Pendleton stopped producing clothing to support the war effort. At the end of the war, Pendleton resumed with the manufacturing of clothing and shifted away from the workwear aesthetic to the 1950’s mentality of casual weekend wear. The brand has experienced a well deserved revival. To this day, the shirt remains a classic affordable staple in many men’s wardrobes.
Finally, Spring is here! And on that note, enter the classic stripe t-shirt. The styles that our fashion editor Maria Ayala found were both traditional and updated stripes, which she paired with classic 501 button-fly Levi’s — the perfect Spring look. And we also found the perfect classic model in the 22 year old Australian export, Stirling Caiulo. Stirling is with Fusion Models NY, and has walked for many top houses including Tom Ford, Fendi and John Varvatos.
